Display stand

ABSTRACT

An article display stand is disclosed in which a first plate, having a stepped surface defined by a plurality of angularly related step and riser surface portions is secured to a second plate, superimposed upon the first plate, and having a plurality of surface portions respectively associated with the risers in the first plate. At least portions of the associated surfaces of the second plate are located in spaced relation to the risers in the first plate, to define a plurality of rows of upwardly opening receptacles between the plates in which articles to be displayed may be received and supported. Means are provided for supporting the plates in a generally inclined configuration for display of articles placed in the receptacles, and in one embodiment, the support means is formed integrally with one of the plates.

United States Patent [191 Menkel DISPLAY STAND [75] Inventor: Gary G.Menkel, l-lolliswood, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Design Center, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y.

22 Filed: Nov. 22, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 200,888

[52] US. Cl 211/72, 206/45, 211/74,

248/152, 248/450 [51] Int. Cl..... A47b 73/00, A47b 97/04, A47f 5/1 1[58] Field of Search 206/45.14, 45;

108/92; 211/128, 52, 55, 135, 74, 60 M, 60 A, 60 G, 72,133, 71, 60 R,130, 73; 248/450, 152, 459

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,542 10/1915 lmhof .l248/450 1,473,868 11/1923 Pinten 211/55 X 1 3,774,774 [451 Nov. 27, 19738/1941 Yohns 211/135 X Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier AssistantExaminer-Abraham Frankel Att0rney-R0bert D. Spille [5 7 ABSTRACT Anarticle display stand is disclosed in which a first plate, having astepped surface defined by a plurality of angularly related step andriser surface portions is secured to a second plate, superimposed uponthe first plate, and having a plurality of surface portions respectivelyassociated with the risers in the first plate. At least portions of theassociated surfaces of the second plate are located in spaced relationto the risers in the first plate, to define a plurality of rows ofupwardly opening receptacles between the plates in which articles to bedisplayed may be received and supported.

, Means are provided for supporting the plates in a generally inclinedconfiguration for display of articles placed in the receptacles, and inone embodiment, the support means is formed integrally with one of theplates.

16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHUV 27 1915 SHEEI 3 CF 4 PAIENTEDHIV 2 7 i975 SHEET BF 4 DISPLAY STAND previously proposed andmanufactured, but they have been relatively expensive to produce and asa result have proved to be unsatisfactory. Typically, independentcompartments or receptacles are formed in order todisplay individualarticles orv groups of articles. For example, in order to display cards,separate pocket-like receptacles must be formed in the display stand.This has heretofore been provided by means of wood frames forming thepockets or by metal wires shaped to form individual supports. Thesearrangements are relatively expensive to produce since both thematerials and labor required to form the stands are expensive.

Further, it has been found to be desirable to display individual cigarsin a display stand wherein the cigars are readily selected by thepurchaser. Generally, cigars are contained within the conventional cigarbox and, particularly when the box is full, individual cigars aredifficult to remove and select. Moreover, only the top row of cigars inthe box can be observed for selection by the purchaser so that theselection from the entire box is in effect limited. By displaying eachof the cigars individually in a display stand, as contemplated by thepresent invention, a greater selection is made available for thepurchaser and a more pleasing and decorative display stand is provided.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to displayindividual articles or groups of articles in a display stand which isrelatively simple and inexpensive in construction.

Yet another object of the present invention is to form an articledisplay stand from a pair of molded plastic sheets of material.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a displaystand which is adapted to support individual articles or groups ofarticles which is inexpensive in construction and durable in use so asto'have an extended life.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the display standcomprises a first plate formed of a plastic sheet material havinga'stepped surface defined by a plurality of angularly related step andriser portions molded in the plate. A second plate is secured insuperimposed relation to the first plate and has a plurality of surfaceportions thereof respectively associated with the risers in the steppedsurface of the first plate. At least a portion of the second platesurfaces are located in spaced relation to the risers of the first plateso as to define a plurality of rows of upwardly opening receptaclesbetween the plates. In one embodiment, the riser portions of the firstplate each have a plurality of semi-cylindrical depressions formedtherein and the spaced portions of the second plate each comprisecomplementary depressions formed therein which extend oppositely to thedepressions in the first plate. The depressions in the first and secondplates cooperate to form the receptacles as rows of cylindrical pocketsadapted to receive and support cylindrical articles such as cigars orthe like therein. The plates are secured together either by a frictionalengagement therebetween or by an adhesive material and they aresupported in an inclined configuration, so that each successive row ofarticles is rearward and slightly higher than a preceeding row. As aresult, the articles contained within the receptacles of each row arefully displayed and readily selected by a purchaser. i

In another embodiment of the present invention the spaced surfaceportions of the second plate and the risers of the first plate arerelatively flat members extending parallel to each other but in spacedrelationship so as to define rows of generally rectangular openingswhich are adapted to receive flat items such as greeting cards orthelike therein.

By forming the display stand of the present invention of two plateshaving complementary recesses therein or by having flat spaced parallelsurfaces, a supporting receptacle for articles is conveniently providedwithout the necessity of special wire stands or wooden bracing. Theplates are formed of an inexpensive molded conventional plastic materialof relatively thin stock, but having substantial rigidity so that theyare relatively inexpensive to produce and manufacture. Moreover, themanufacturing process is relatively simple in that it can be a simplestamping or molding operation so that numerous operating manufacturingsteps and numerous employees required by previously proposedarrangements are not required.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be apparent in the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment. thereof which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an article display standconstructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded enlarged view of the two plate members forming thedisplay stand of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a section of the display standillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the edge portion of the display standtaken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a display stand constructed inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view, similar to FIG. 2, of the componentsutilized to form the display stand illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of one end of the display standillustrated inFIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an edge portion of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 and taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, itwill be seen that an article display stand 10 embodying the presentinvention, as shown therein, has an inclined article support tray 12 inwhich is formed a plurality of generally cylindrical receptacles orpockets 14 adapted 'to receive individual articles such as cigars or thelike, for display in the stand.

Tray 12 is supported in an inclined configuration by a three-sidedsupport member 16 which has a pair of generally triangularly shaped sidemembers 18 whose long sides 18 engage the edges of the tray, as morefully described hereinafter, to support the latter in an inclinedconfiguration. A rear side 20, formed integrally with sides 18,interconnects the sides and provides stability to the stand. Side 20 issubstantially larger than sides 18 so that an extended portion 22thereof is exposed above the top edge 24 of the tray 12. The exposedsurface of extended portion 22 is thus available for placement ofadvertising literature, indicia or the like, as may be suitable for usewith the articles displayed in the stand. Typically, support member 16is formed of a hard cardboard material which is relatively inexpensiveto produce and which is folded along lines 26 to form sides 18 and rearside 20.

Tray 12 is formed of two superimposed sheets or plates 28, 30, moldedfrom a relatively hard and rigid plastic material. The first or innerplate 28 is formed with a stepped surface 32 in which each of the stepsis defined by a relatively horizontal stepped portion 34 and a generallyvertically extending riser portion 36. The step portions 34 are joinedto riser portions 36 at the base thereof at generally right angles 35and risers 36 are joined at their top edges to the front of the steps 34along inclined surfaces 38, for reasons more fully describedhereinafter. In this manner, the steps provided on surface 32, whenviewed from the side, as in FIG. 4, appear as a conventional steppedsurface or stairway so that each of the successive risers is locatedrearwardly and upwardly from the preceeding riser in the sheet.

A plurality of semicircular depressions 40 are formed along each of therisers 36 in plate 28. These depressions open outwardly of the plate andthe depressions in each row are staggered, as seen in FIG. 3, withrespect to the recesses formed in the adjacent rows. These recesses formone half of the circular pockets 14 in the completed display stand, asmore fully described hereinafter. 7

Plate 28 is formed with integral side end walls 42 at each end of thesteps formed in its surface. End walls 42. are formed as invertedU-shaped members having a channel 44 formed between the legs 46 thereof.The long side or edge 18' of plates 18 are received in their associatedrecesses 44 and engaged with the bight portion 48 of the side walls 42to support the completed stand in the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

Plate 30, which, in the completed construction of the invention issuperimposed upon plate 28, is also provided with a stepped surface,indicated as 50. This plate and surface is provided with surfaceportions or risers 52 whichextend generally parallel to the risers 36 ofplate 28 when the plates are in superimposed relation Risers 52 areprovided with semicircular depressions 54 formed therein, whichdepressions extend in the opposite direction from the depressions 40formed in plate 28, and which are complementary to depressions 40, sothat when the plates are in superimposed relation, as illustrated inFIG. 4, cylindrical pockets or receptacles 14 are defined thereby.Risers 52 are interconnected by generally horizontally extending stepportions 56, which are joinedto the tops of adjacent risers at rightangles, as at 58, and to the base of the oppositely adjacent riser by aninclined surface 60. This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4, whereinit is seen that the inclined surface portions38 of first plate 28 arelocated adjacent the right angle portions 58 of plate while the inclinedportions 60 of plate 30 are adjacent the right angle portions 35 ofplate 28, when the plates are in superimposed relation. Accordingly,this arranfgement or configuration permits a close fitting or the twoplates in superimposed relation, without interference of right anglesurfaces or any irregularities that may be formed thereat during thepressing of molding operation. This insures a close, tight fit betweenthose portions of risers 36 and 52 which extend between the depressions40 and 54 formed in the two plates, whereby the depressions form fullyenclosed cylindrical receptacles.

Steps 56 between risers 52 in the top or second plate 30 are providedwith apertures '62 formed therein which correspond to the circularopening in cylindrical pockets 14 formed by the depressions in the twoplates, so that a cylindrical article such as a cigar or the like can beinserted and supported in the receptacle upon the steps 34 of lower orinner plate 28. In addition, depressions 54 in upper plate 30 areprovided with auxiliary semicircular depressions 64 formed adjacenttheir top edge (see FIG. 4) which depressions serve to improve theappearance of the stand and in addition, reinforce the top edge ofdepressions 54, thereby to avoid damage thereto upon insertion andremoval of the articles being displayed.

Plate 30 may be secured to plate 28 by conventional adhesive material soas to form a completed, integral display tray 12. Alternatively, it iscontemplated that plate 30 may be frictionally held or snapfit betweenthe inner legs 46 of side walls 42 in plate 28. In this case, the widthof plate 30 would be substantially the same as the distance between legs46 of walls 42 so that the end walls of the steps 50 formed in secondplate 30 would be frictionally engaged between the side walls and heldin place by that engagement. In yet another embodiment, such as thatillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the end walls of plate 30, along the endsof steps 50, are provided with side walls 66 having a small outwardlyextending lip 68. Complementary recesses are formed in the legs 46 ofwalls 42, which recesses are adapted to receive the lips or extensions68 therein, as by snapfitting. In this manner the display stand iscapable of being disassembled for shipment, and later reassembly. Inthis embodiment, the points of juncture between the risers 52 and steps56 in plate 30, may, adjacent the walls 66, be formed with inclinedsurfaces 58' in lieu of the right angular juncture provided throughoutthe remainder of plate 30 so that a smooth transitional appearanceappears between the steps and the top surface of the side walls, as isillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

It is thus seen that a relatively simple and inexpensive display standis provided in which cylindrical articles such as cigars can besupported for individual selection and display. The stand is ofrelatively lightweight and durable construction while also beinginexpensive to manufacture. Because the stand is molded out of a plasticmaterial it is possible to form the stand in innumerable designs andcolors, in accordance with the advertising requirements of the articleto be displayed in the stand. Thus, the stand has an increased appealfor advertising purposes as it can be decorated or colored to conformwith particular products being displayed, while being sufficientlyinexpensive to manufacture so that an individual stand can be providedfor each type of product.

While the above described embodiment of .the invention has beenillustrated with cylindrical depressions formed in the plates 28 and 30,it is comtemplated that other types of depressions may be utilizeddepending upon the article to be displayed. In particular, it iscomtemplated that rectangularly shaped depressions and even irregularlyshaped depressions may be provided for holding a variety of articles.Similarly, the shapes of the depressions may be varied within the samedisplay stand so that numerous shaped articles can be displayed in asingle stand.

Referring to FIGS. 9-ll, another embodiment of the invention isdisclosed in which a display stand 100 is provided havingrectangularlyshaped receptacles or pockets 102 formed therein for receipt ofcorrespondingly shaped articles such as greeting cards and the like.Display'stand 100 is formed from two plates or sheet members 104, 106,which are preferably made of a hard plastic material, positioned insuperimposed rela-, tionship with respect to each other.

The inner or first plate 106 is provided with a stepped surface 108formed by steps 110 and elongated risers 112. The last riser in theseries, at the top of plate 106, is provided with an extended portion112 upon which advertising indicia or the like may be placed, as is morefully described hereinafter. In addition to the steps 110 and risers l12, plate 106 is provided with side wall segments 114 located at theends of risers 112. Wall seg ments 114 have a predetermined width andcooperate with, plate 104, as is also more fully described hereinafter,to define the generally rectangular compartments 102 within the displaystand.

The outer or second plate 104 is formed of a plurality of individual,relatively flat plate portions 118. (It is noted that as used herein theterm plate" refers to a plate of individual surfaces, such as 118 or aplate formed of steps and risers such as the plates 104, 28 and 30).Surface portions 118 of plate 104 are adapted to be positioned adjacent.to and in spaced relation from the risers 112 of plate 106, therebycooperating with risers 112 to form receptacles 102.

Plate 104 is provided with triangularly shaped end walls 120 integrallyformed with the surface of plate portions 118, in order to support thelatter and plate 106, which is secured thereto. Side walls 120 areinterconnected at the front by an integral cross piece 122 and at therear by a wall 124. The latter has a slot 126 therein in which theextended portion 112 of plate 106 is received. Walls 120, 122, and 124are surrounded by a shoe or flange portion 128 integrally formedtherewith which provides stability to the completed stand assembly.

In this embodiment, surfaces 112 and 112' are available for theplacement of advertising indicia or the like for use with the articlesdisplayed in the stand. This indicia therefore would be located in aconvenient position adjacent the articles being displayed.

In assembling the device ofthis embodiment of the invention, plate 106is inserted through the open bottom 129 of member 104 andthe extendedportion 112' I thereof is placed through slot 126. Plate l06is thenbrought forwardly towards surface portions 118 until the side wallportions 114 of plate 106 are engaged against the lower surfaces ofplate portions 118, as shown in FIG. 11. As mentioned, wall portions 114have a predetermined width,- and when engaged with the lower surface ofplates 118 defined the receptacles 102, each of which has apredetermined width corresponding to the widths of wall portions 114.It'is noted that, as seen in FIG. 11, the side walls of the stand mayhave reduced thicknesses on the side thereof below wall surface portions118 so that the inner surface 130 of wall segments 1 14 will be inalignment with the inner surface 132 of wall 120 above surface portion 118.

The width of plate 106 may be substantially the same as the distancebetween the interior surface of walls 120 so that when the plate isinserted in the member 104, with wall portions 114 thereof engagedagainst surface portions 118, plate 106 is held in a fixed positiontherein by the frictional engagement of the walls 114 with the walls120. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the plate 106 will besupported at its base portion by the lowermost step ll0 and riser 112"and at its upper end by the engagement of extended portion 112 in slot126. Moreover, it is contemplated that plate 106 may be secured inposition by the use of conventional adhesive material'between the plates104 and 106.

It is thus seen that a relatively simple stand is provided forsupporting and displaying greeting cards and the llke by the utilizationofthe same concepts as in the previously disclosed embodiment. Thestepped inner plate of the invention provides substantially one half ofthe receptacle which receives the displayed article and the steppedportions thereof provide support for the article in the display stand. Asingle, complementary superimposed sheet or member is utilized tocomplete the display stand in both embodiments of the invention and thusin.each case a relatively simply constructed stand is provided.

Accordingly, it is seen that relatively simple and inexpensivelyconstructed display stands for individual articles and groups ofarticles, such as cigars, cards or the like, are provided by the simplearrangement of two superimposed plates of preformed molded plasticmaterial. The display stands are relatively lightweight and are thusconveniently transported or moved in order to be set up in variouslocations.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with-reference to the accompanying drawings it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An article display stand comprising a first plate having a steppedsurface defined by a plurality of angularly related step and riserportions formed in said plate, a second plate secured in superimposedrelation to said first plate and having first surface portions thereoflocated adjacent to and in predetermined spaced relation from the riserportions of said first plate, therebyto define a plurality of rows ofupwardly opening receptacles between said first and second plates, andmeansfor supporting said plates, in a generally inclined configuration;said riser portions of said first plate each having a plurality ofdepressions formed therein and said first surface'portions of saidsecond plate having complementary depressions formed therein, whichlatter depressions extend oppositely of the depressions in said firstplate; whereby the depressions in said plates cooperate to form saidreceptacles as pockets adapted to receive and support articles to bedisplayed, said first surface portions in said second plate being formedin rows corresponding to said rows of receptacles and said first surfaceportions in each row being connected to the first surface portions inadjacent rows in said second plate by step portions extendingtherebetween, said last mentioned step portions being in contact withthe step portions in said first plate.

2. The display stand as defined in claim 1 wherein said depressions insaid first and second plates are generally semi-circular insectionalconfiguration, thereby to form said pockets as generallycylindrical pockets adapted to receive and support generally cylindricalarticles to be displayed.

3. The display stand as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and secondplates are formed of plastic.

4. The display stand as defined in claim 2 wherein said semicylindricaldepressions on said surfaces of the second plate each have an auxiliarysemicircular depression adjacent the top edge thereof for reinforcingsaid depressions.

5. The display stand as defined in claim 4 wherein the base of each ofsaid first surface portions in said second plate is connected to itsadjacent step portion by an inclined surface portion and the upperportion thereof is connected to its adjacent step portion at 'a rightangle.

6. The display stand as defined in claim 5 wherein the base portion ofeach of the riser portions formed in said first plate is connected atright angles to its adjacent step portion and the upper portion thereofis connected to its adjacent step portion by an inclined surface.

7. The display stand as defined in claim 1 wherein said first plate hasan inverted generally U-shaped side wall secured at each side thereof,which side walls extend generally perpendicularly of said steppedsurface, and said support means comprises a generally triangularlyshaped plate member associated with each of said side walls and havingone edge thereof received between the legs of its associated invertedU-shaped wall member.

8. The display stand as defined in claim 7 wherein said support platemembers are interconnected by a third support plate member having anextended portion thereof extending beyond the top edge of said plates.

9. The display stand as defined in claim 7 wherein said side walls eachhave an elongated depression formed in the leg thereof adjacent saidstepped surface, and extending along the length of said side wall, saidsecond plate having side edges received in said elongated depression tosecure said second plate to said first plate.

10. The display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second plateis secured to said first plate by an adhesive material.

.11. An article display stand comprising a first plate, formed ofplastic material, havingtop, bottom and side edges, and having a steppedsurface defined by a plurality of angularly related step and riserportions formed therein and extending between said side edges, a secondplastic plate superimposed upon said first plate and having top, bottomand side edges, said second plate being formed with a plurality of firstsurface portions respectively associated with the riser portions in saidfirst plate and having at least portions thereof located in spacedrelation to said riser portions, thereby to define a plurality of rowsof upwardly opening receptacles between said plates, and means forsupporting said plates in a generally inclined configuration; said riserportions of said first plate each having a plurality of depressionsformed therein and said spaced portions of said second plate firstsurface portions comprising complementary depressions formed in saidsecond plate first surface portions, which latter depressions ex'- tendoppositely of the depressions in said first plate, whereby thedepressions in said plates cooperate to form said receptacles as rows ofpockets adapted to receive and support articles therein; said secondplate first surface portions, between said depressions, being in contactwith said riser portions of said first plate.

12. The display stand defined in claim 11 wherein one of said first andsecond plates has side walls formed along its side edges and the otherone of said plates is positioned between said side walls.

13. The display device as defined in claim 12 wherein the width of saidother one of said plates is substantially equal to the distance betweensaid walls whereby said other one of said plates is secured to said oneplate by the engagement of its side edges with said side walls.

14. The display device as defined in claim 12 wherein said plates aresecured together by an adhesive material.

15. The display stand as defined in claim 11 wherein said depressions insaid first and second plates are generally semi-circular in sectionalconfiguration, thereby to form said pockets as generally cylindricalpockets adapted to receive and support generally cylindrical articles tobe displayed.

16. The display stand as defined in claim 15 wherein the cylindricalpockets in each row are staggered with respect to cylindrical pockets inadjacent rows.

1. An article display stand comprising a first plate having a steppedsurface defined by a plurality of angularly related step and riserportions formed in said plate, a second plate secured in superimposedrelation to said first plate and having first surface portions thereoflocated adjacent to and in predetermined spaced relation from the riserportions of said first plate, thereby to define a plurality of rows ofupwardly opening receptacles between said first and second plates, andmeans for supporting said plates in a generally inclined configuration;said riser portions of said first plate each having a plurality ofdepressions formed therein and said first surface portions of saidsecond plate having complementary depressions formed therein, whichlatter depressions extend oppositely of the depressions in said firstplate; whereby the depressions in said plates cooperate to form saidreceptacles as pockets adapted to receive and support articles to bedisplayed, said first surface portions in said second plate being formedin rows corresponding to said rows of receptacles and said first surfaceportions in each row being connected to the first surface portions inadjacent rows in said second plate by step portions extendingtherebetween, said last mentioned step portions being in contact withthe step portions in said first plate.
 2. The display stand as definedin claim 1 wherein said depressions in said first and second plates aregenerally semi-circular in sectional configuration, thereby to form saidpockets as generally cylindrical pockets adapted to receive and supportgenerally cylindrical articles to be displayed.
 3. The display stand asdefined in claim 1 wherein said first and second plates are formed ofplastic.
 4. The display stand as defined in claim 2 wherein saidsemicylindrical depressions on said surfaces of the second plate eachhave an auxiliary semicircular depression adjacent the top edge thereoffor reinforcing said depressions.
 5. The display stand as defined inclaim 4 wherein the base of each of said first surface portions in saidsecond plate is connected to its adjacent step portion by an inclinedsurface portion and the upper portion thereof is connected to itsadjacent step portion at a right angle.
 6. The display stand as definedin claim 5 wherein the base portion of each of the riser portions formedin said first plate is connected at right angles to its adjacent stepportion and the upper portion thereof is connected to its adjacent stepportion by an inclined surface.
 7. The display stand as defined in claim1 wherein said first plate has an inverted generally U-shaped side wallsecured at each side thereof, which side walls extend generallyperpendicularly of said stepped surface, and said support meanscomprises a generally triangularly shaped plate member associated witheach of said side walls and having one edge thereof received between thelegs of its associated inverted U-shaped wall member.
 8. The displaystand as defined in claim 7 wherein said support plate members areinterconnected by a third support plate member having an extendedportion thereof extending beyond the top edge of said plates.
 9. Thedisplay stand as defined in claim 7 wherein said side walls each have anelongated depression formed in the leg thereof adjacent said steppedsurface, and extending along the length of said side wall, said secondplate having side edges received in said elongated depression to securesaid second plate to said first plate.
 10. The display device as definedin claim 1 wherein said second plate is secured to said first plate byan adhesive material.
 11. An article display stand comprising a firstplate, formed of plastic material, having top, bottom and side edges,and having a stepped surface defined by a plurality of angularly relatedstep and riser portions formed therein and extending between said sideedges, a second plastic plate superimposed upon said first plate andhaving top, bottom and side edges, said second plate being formed with aplurality of first surface portions respectively associated with theriser portions in said first plate and having at least portions thereoflocated in spaced relation to said riser portions, thereby to define aplurality of rows of upwardly opening receptacles between said plates,and means for supporting said plates in a generally inclinedconfiguration; said riser portions of said first plate each having aplurality of depressions formed therein and said spaced portions of saidsecond plate first surface portions comprising complementary depressionsformed in said second plate first surface portions, which latterdepressions extend oppositely of the depressions in said first plate,whereby the depressions in said plates cooperate to form saidreceptacles as rows of pockets adapted to receive and support articlestherein; said second plate first surface portions, between saiddepressions, being in contact with said riser portions of said firstplate.
 12. The display stand defined in claim 11 wherein one of saidfirst and second plates has side walls formed along its side edges andthe other one of said plates is positioned between said side walls. 13.The display device as defined in claim 12 wherein the width of saidother one of said plates is substantially equal to the distance betweensaid walls whereby said other one of said plates is secured to said oneplate by the engagement of its side edges with said side walls.
 14. Thedisplay device as defined in claim 12 wherein said plates are securedtogether by an adhesive material.
 15. The display stand as defined inclaim 11 wherein said depressions in said first and second plates aregenerally semi-circular in sectional configuration, thereby to form saidpockets as generally cylindrical pockets adapted to receive and supportgenerally cylindrical articles to be displayed.
 16. The display stand asdefined in claim 15 wherein the cylindrical pockets in each row arestaggered with respect to cylindrical pockets in adjacent rows.